Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 372 Lisa: Ava's Camp

LISA

After miles of walking, the sun is pretty high in the sky.

I'm too exhausted to shove back layers to take a peek at my watch, plus I really don't want to know what time it is. If it's too early, I'll know we're still ages from seeing Ava. If it's too late, I'll be even more exhausted knowing how long we've been trudging through the snow.

Better to just keep going as my lungs burn and my whole body aches. I really thought I was ready for this, but I'm not in as good of shape as I'd thought.

Kellan's doubtful stare when I asked to come along is really making sense.

"Don't worry." Mira's friendly voice tells me she's back. Sometimes she roams ahead, helping break trail. "We aren't far now."

Thank. Fucking. God.

Mira points at a thin line of grey against the pale winter sky. "See that smoke? That's their camp."

My shoulders sag with relief as I stare at the back of Kellan's head. His broad shoulders haven't slowed once during our trek, and here I am ready to collapse. "Have I slowed you all down?"

"Not at all." Mira's smile warms her words. "We don't always scout in wolf form, you know."

"Why not?" It hadn't occurred to me that they would do that, but now that she's mentioned it—well, why wouldn't they? "Wouldn't it be easier?"

her boots sending up a sparkling spray. "Things are different when we're shifted. We don't make a habit of staying in wolf

"Different how?"

over. Pack bonds grow stronger, but complex reasoning becomes harder. Plus, clothes are a pain to deal with.

Kellan's back. His steady stride hasn't

trickles down my spine despite the freezing air. My legs burn with each step through the deep snow, and my breath comes in harsh pants that crystallize in front of my face. The rising sun does nothing to warm me, though its rays paint the endless white landscape in shades of

ever closer, and eventually the scent of cooking meat makes my mouth water. The promise of warmth and food urges me forward those last few steps until the camp comes into

across the snow as she waves both arms

crashes through the snow. Selene slams into me with the force of

to shield my

grip my arms, hauling me back to my feet. Snow clings to my clothes, but I don't care as I stumble

you doing all the way out here?" Ava squeezes me back

her cheeks. She

Vanessa shoves this meal down my throat, I've

together as they discuss whatever important wolf business demands their attention. We're here

heard you caught

snorts. "The men caught a moose. I'm just going to help eat it. Want some stew? You look

loud growl. Ava laughs and loops her arm through mine, leading me

barely sparing us a glance as we

seen camping are small.

bad, but Greg snored

Ava has me sit on what appears to be a folded sleeping bag. My muscles protest the movement—I'll definitely feel this trek tomorrow. But it was worth it. Good to know what these people do every